Pharmacists have always been prominent professionals in the healthcare industry as they pursue pharmaceutical courses to bridge the gap between a patient and their access to life-saving medication. Pharmacists in the research sector formulate newer and better drugs to fight diseases, and pharmacists in the retail sector work in pharmacies to provide patients with prescribed or over the counter drugs.
Over the last couple of years the role of pharmacists has been amplified due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a huge surge in the need for qualified pharmacists to develop life-saving vaccines and drugs to halt the pandemic. The world owes a huge debt to these dedicated professionals for the service they have provided to fight COVID. If you wish to join the pharmaceutical industry, there are a number of courses you can pursue to make a career in the industry.
Pharmacy Courses after Class 12th
There are a number of undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacy courses you can opt for after completing class 12. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular courses you can pursue to make a career in pharmacy:
Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharm)
About the Program
Diploma in Pharmacy is an undergraduate program spread across 2 years. It is perfect for career-oriented professionals who want to work as pharmacists in leading pharmacies across India, or pursue entrepreneurship by investing in a pharmacy of their own.
Eligibility
Students who have completed class 12th from a recognised board with minimum 50% aggregate marks can apply for this program. They should have studied Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects, and Biology or Mathematics as optional subjects.
Subjects
Students pursuing D.Pharm study Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Social Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy, Drug Store and Business Management, and Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence, among other topics.
These students are also trained in high-tech well-equipped labs to help them become employable candidates in the pharmaceutical industry
Career Scope
Professionals holding a D.Pharm qualification can work in pharmaceutical chains, independent pharmacies, and pharmacies within hospitals, clinics and healthcare centres. They can also work in pathology labs and research labs. Furthermore, they can also launch a pharmacy of their own and go into business for themselves.
They can be hired as Pharmacists, Scientific Officers, Analytical Chemist, Research and Development Executive, and Pathological Lab Scientist, to name a few professions. They can earn an average salary ranging from INR 2 lakhs to INR 3.2 lakhs at the start of their career, depending on their job profile and place of employment.
Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm)
About the Program
This is an undergraduate program spanning across four years and eight semesters. This is the best pharmacy course you can pursue if you wish to go for higher studies in pharmacy including M.Pharm followed by a PhD.
Eligibility
Students who have completed class 12th from a recognised board with minimum 50% aggregate marks with Physics and Chemistry as compulsory subjects, and Biology or Mathematics as optional subjects are preferred for this program. Some of the top pharmacy colleges in Nashik offer scholarship-cum-entrance exams to merit students who wish to pursue pharmacy.
Subjects
Students pursuing B.Pharm are taught Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Pharmaceutical Analysis I, Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry, Pharmaceutics I, Biochemistry, Computer Applications in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Industrial Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, and many such relevant topics.
Students also receive hands-on training for skill enhancement through lab work in high-tech pharmacy labs.
Career Scope
After completing this program professionals can work in multiple sectors within the pharmaceutical industry ranging from research labs to well-known pharmacy chains. Many government and private sector pharmaceutical companies have excellent job opportunities for these professionals.
These professionals can be hired as Analytical Chemist, Drug Inspector, Drug Technician, Research Scientist, Drug Therapist, and Research Officer, to name a few positions. They can earn an average salary of INR 3 lakh to INR 5 lakh at the start of their career, depending on their skills and the sector of employment.
Conclusion
The pharmaceutical industry is thriving and this is the right time to pursue a career in the industry. There are a number of certification courses for pharmacists that you can consider if you are sure about your career choice. Just make sure that the college you pick has well-equipped labs for industry-synced skill development and 100% placement assistance as well. Good luck!